The deal with the non-performing note is to purchase at a substancial discount and try to get it performing again so that you either have a performing note that pays regularly or sell it in a few years as a re-performing note(lots more than a non-performing).

You must separately identify each gift and the identity of the donor.

You'll have already started finding tenants for the vacant unit with a lower rent and shorten the vacancy after eviction (assuming units are identical in price and condition).

@Grant Anderson No bank will give a regular conforming loan to an LLC.

If your regular depreciation is already more than covering your cash flow, you will likely see little to zero benefit.

A few examples that have been surfacing regularly across many states- Crazy late night parties from STR tenants... the landlord is liable and can be fined or worse, depending on the location and severity.

They will are used to verify your identity, not where you reside.I purchased a few homes while I was working for an airline in the cities I was based in and never changed my DL nor plates on my car. 

If you don't like the contractors your getting than I would suggest becoming more active on Biggerpockets and connecting with @Darren Sager and others doing regular BP Meetups in your area.

He also asks me to send the check in mail and then he will send the lien waiver in mail after the amount is cleared in the bank. what is the regular practice to get lien waivers from the GC's? 

He had a regular full-time day job with medical insurance.